Richard & Hazel Pilcher
Melbourne, Australia.

September 2022

My husband and I recently completed the 7 day Cycle the Dordogne tour. We had an amazing time cycling 200kms or so in manageable daily distances. The hotels located in charming villages were exceptional. The scenic routes were mainly on quiet back roads and the accurate route instructions made it easy to navigate. Cliff provided us with a wealth of local information which did not appear in my guide book. As Cliff and Annie are locally based they are in a position to personally assist with any problem that might arise. I would certainly recommend Cycle the Dordogne and Cliff to anyone contemplating a cycling holiday in the region!

Ken & Heather Green
Waubra, Australia.

September 2022

Cliff, many thanks for arranging a bespoke tour for a couple of oldies. Your attention to detail throughout the eight days on tour was exemplary. Accommodation, restaurants and tour directions were excellent. Also thank Simon and Annie for their assistance. We are heading home today and will share and recommend to friends our dordonge experience, all things being well we may even return next year. No doubt the best European bike tour we have had in twenty years of bike touring. Many thanks again Ken and Heather

Peter & Kathy Borsato
Canada.

September 2022

We want to thank Cliff for the wonderful 8 days cycling in the Dordogne. He custom designed some longer routes for us that put us through fabulous countryside and quiet roads and also arranged the carbon road bikes for our longer days. The accommodations along the way were lovely and the dinners on our half board days were fabulous. The trip notes were detailed and easy to follow and provided great information on local sites and history along the way. We appreciated the tips he provided at the beginning of the trip with respect to rules of the road, tipping and eating out. His service was exceptional and his knowledge of the area is extensive. We won’t hesitate to recommend him. He even arranged perfect weather!

Jack Padfield
England  May 2022

I have just re-read some of the existing testimonials and it is difficult to be any more complementory. Cliff has a very light touch but none the less everything worked smoothly. The walking information was accurate and comprehensive and all ‘end of the day’ Hotels or chambre d’hotes destinations lived up to their billing. Two or three were exceptional. We intend to return next year.

Hernan Irarrazaval

Santiago, Chile. June 2022

For our group of eight friends this was our first cycling trip, and we all agree that the location and organisation was superb. We started in Carsac and ended up in Sarlat, Every day we enjoyed the spectacular landscape of the Dordogne Valley. Congratulations to Cliff for his organization and support. All the hotels, daily routes, restaurants and other recommendations, exceeded our expectations. Hope to return soon.

Andy Foulds
England. August 2022

We have just returned from an unforgettable 12 day cycle tour of the Dordogne and Lot. Before we even committed, Cliff was instrumental in helping us plan our itinerary, come up with ideas to mix cycling with visiting the regions main attractions, and ensuring we got the balance right. His hotel suggestions were spot on ( air conditioning essential this August! ) and the route guidance was easy to follow. We had a problem one day where illness struck and could have caused an issue- no problem – Cliff loaded up the van and carried me and the bike to the next hotel. His knowledge of the routes and the area is second to none – highly recommended.

Susan Wright
NYC, USA, April 2022

After two years of COVID lockdowns and staying at home, I was ready to get back on the road in France and I’m thrilled that I picked Cycle the Dordogne for my trip. They respected my concerns about finding accomodations with strict COVID protocols so that I could plan the trip without worries. But more importantly, they mapped out an 11 day trip through the magesty of Dorodgne, with gourmet meals and fantastic hotels, terrific scenery and sights, all for a very reasonable cost. I loved my ebike (first time, never going back to “regular” bike). My trip was sandwiched between two weeks of remote work in France, so Cliff arranged the trip for convenient train connections to and from my work locations. Half of my evening meals were included in the trip and every single one was amazing. Having cycled in France before, I knew my daily routine needed to include planning for a lunchtime break and Cliff provided daily guidance which towns had restaurants or where to shop for that ever important picnic. The bike maps were easy to use in the handlebar mounted holder. A few times the route included a kilometer or two of a busier road and the directions clearly indicated this so I could be prepared. A “busy” road in France is pretty tame – no worries about safety as the french driver respects bikes. 11 da ys, never once beeped at. So if you are not familiar with France, make Cycle the Dorodgne your First Choice. I will be back and Cycle the Dordogne is my first choice.

Peter Furnell
Courtenay B.C. Canada, May 2022

This was our first bike tour, and we’re so glad that we were finally able to do it (covid got in the way a couple of times). Despite some misgivings about our ability, not only did we easily complete the tour, but we had a grand time doing it. Long climbs, no problem on our ebikes, 60 km days, nothing to them. Yes, we got slightly turned around a couple of times, but once we actually read what Cliff was telling us, the route was evident. Not only was it fun, but bike riding is the only way to see this beautiful part of the world. You really do become part of the countryside when you’re on a velo. Thanks Cliff and Annie for giving us this tremendous holiday. We highly recommend that if you’re thinking about a bike tour in the Dordogne, you do it with Cycle the Dordogne.

Kate Hunter
Burlington, VT, April 2022

Cliff and Annie put together a wonderful bike week for us in the Dordogne and Lot. The routes were gorgeous and directions easy to follow. We stayed in some beautiful little towns and charming hotels with terrific food. There were almost no tourists, the roads were quiet enough that we could ride side-by-side and stop whenever the spirit moved us. Cliff was responsive and flexible about modifying the route to accommodate our travel plans and cycling interests. Good, as always, to work with a local who knows the roads and villages. Highly recommended!

San Diego, CA. USA
Other, Sept 2019

We highly recommend Cliff and his team for a number of reasons: the bikes were great; the directions excellent, the hotels and arranged dinners top notch, and we felt Cliff was totally available to us whenever needed. We got very high value for the money spent on the trip. We love the self-guided approach – strong support from Cliff but we are on our own for the experience. We were, at time of out trip, close to 64 and 68 in age, fit, and very comfortable on bikes. We especially appreciated Cliff’s guidance on what sites to take in along the way and his can-do attitude. The trip was truly memorable thanks for Cliff and his team and, of course, France.

Cindy Sims
New Zealand, Sept 2019

Cycling the Dordogne will go down as a highlight of my life. Thanks to Cliff and his outstanding organising, the trip went without a hitch. From the hotels, to the food, the itinerary, the scenery,the e bike, even the weather was accommodating. As a “mature woman” I was a little apprehensive as to my ability but had no problem whatsoever. The e bike I had was simple to use and turbo boost became my friend. Thank you Cliff, I would recommend your company in a heartbeat. *****

Peter Birks, New Zealand
Adult group, Sept 2019

We recently rode with Cycle the Dordogne from Gourdon to Lalinde with a group of work colleagues as a reunion. Cliff put together a special tour for us over 6 days and we cant thank him enough for the work he put into it. The accommodation and meals that were included were great. The tour was mainly on back roads and passed through such scenic country side allowing us to visit Chateaux and villages along the way. This tour was done on E Bikes and the performance of the bikes was excellent. It can be achieved on normal bikes but we had a few that needed the extra power. Once again many many thanks to Cliff and his team for a job well done and the for the prompt communication throughout our booking procedure.

Andrew Shepherd
Brisbane, Australia, Sept 2019

I toured a couple of weeks ago with seven friends and former work colleagues for 6 days and cannot speak highly enough of Cycle the Dordogne. Cliff tailor made our tour to end at another friends home and everything worked like clockwork. The planned days, and the sights and roadways and byways were perfect for us, the daily mileage was spot on, and the hotels and included meals were all excellent. Can’t thank you enough Cliff. We had a great time and hope to do it again one day. Cheers Andrew.

Graham Norton
Melbourne, Australia, Sept 2019

One of the best organised cycle trips I have done , and I have done a few! Excellent itinerary, great hotels and very easy to follow route maps. I could not fault Cliff. His skills, knowledge and support are first class. If you need more proof, then click on my travel blog to see a day by day description with GPS route maps and photos: www.graham3693.com

Jean & Roger Parkes (retired couple)
Stourbridge, England, Sept 2019

Glorious sunshine for nine days was the icing on the cake for this our third visit with Cycle the Dordogne. Cliff once again organised a superb route for us, which by special request incorporated the Cele Valley (not to be missed) . As usual the route details were very easy to follow and the accompanying notes added an extra dimension to what is a very historical area. Much of the route was on small roads on the ridges of the hills which provided outstanding views of the undulating countryside on both sides. Highlights included a day’s rest in Figeac and overnight stays in attractive Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and in the hilltop village of Turenne. In the latter we stayed at a small hotel located in an historic house, once the residence of the local Cannons of the Church where our dinner began with foie gras with local truffles and a small glass of Muscat. A great end to a days cycling. As usual , all the hotels were of a high standard with hospitable owners who knew Cliff and Annie. Although the route was hilly in places, this did not prove a problem as now we are in our eighties we both used electric bikes. Once again a well organised holiday in a beautiful area, thanks to Cliff and Annie.

Helen & Tom Fraser
New Zealand, June 2019

We have recently had the tremendous pleasure of doing a 7 day cycling tour in the Dordogne area. Cliff organised a beautiful route for us with very detailed accurate instructions which made it easy. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous, passing by fields of wheat and masses of wild poppies, undulating hills, trees everywhere, ancient villages, rivers, and quiet back country sealed roads. The accommodation was excellent and the food superb. Our only regret was that we didn’t make it a fortnight instead of a week. Cliff gave excellent backup and advice and knowing he was there in the background if needed gave a sense of assurance. We spent six weeks away in Europe seeing and doing wonderful things but it is true to say that cycling the Dordogne was the highlight, a journey we will never forget. A big thanks to Cliff for that.

Peter and Cathy-Anne
Sydney Australia, May/June 2019

What a week! We had a fabulous time cycling in the Dordogne recently. Cliff planned a great itinerary and the accommodation and was terrific. Even in small places the food was excellent with some truly remarkable meals. We had one ordinary cycle and one electric, both options worked well. The route was tailor made and provided enough exercise and time for sight seeing. The scenery is magic and French drivers very courteous to cyclists. All our expectations were met – and more. Thanks Cliff.

Geoffrey and Loraye Kent
Brisbane, Australia, Sept 2018

We recently completed an exhilarating 10 days of cycling, sightseeing, eating and drinking our way through the Dordogne region. Cliff prepared an excellent itinerary for us and then followed up with great back-up service to ensure everything went according to plan. He even organised fabulous weather for us! Our itinerary took us through some spectacular landscapes, ancient villages, limestone caves etc. and at the end of the day we ate delicious meals paired with great French wines. The accommodation arranged by Cliff was excellent with friendly staff who were keen to offer advice or assist as required. The Dordogne region has a lot to offer, and Cliff provides exceptional service. We have no hesitation in recommending Cliff to anyone who is interested in enjoying this beautiful part of the world. We have only sampled a small part and there is so much more to see. Thanks Cliff (and Annie) for facilitating such a memorable trip.

Melanie
New Zealand, Aug-Sept 2018

Spectacular scenery, gorgeous villages and beautiful hotels with the best fine dining experiences. Our party of four had a fabulous & memorable trip. Cliff & Annie were only a phone call away to sort out any issues, and they went above and beyond the call of duty by dropping us some distance to our rental car company when our trip came to an end. Highly recommended, thank you so much!!

Chona Guiang
Boston, MA, USA, Sept 2018

The word “breathtaking” tends to get overused in travel reviews, but it really is inadequate to describe the splendor of the Dordogne landscape, both natural and man-made. Cycle The Dordogne provides the best way to experience this relatively overlooked region of France on two wheels, and the custom ten-day version of Itinerary Three took me on a fun-filled, occasionally hair-raising exploration of subterranean rivers, green rolling hills, panoramic vistas of the river and villages, pilgrimage sites, monasteries, fortified hill towns, castles and chateaus. Why use Cycle The Dordogne? 0. Cliff and Annie actually live in the area and have in-depth knowledge of both well-known and easy-to-overlook travel sites 1. clear and detailed directions in the provided cue sheets: I did not even use my Garmin GPS once. 2. reasonably priced accommodations that offer ambience, fine dining, and essential amenities like wifi: I’m vegan and did not lack for food options. 3. highly reliable e-bike with map mount, flat repair kit, bike chain, panniers 4. Cliff and Annie’s responsiveness when things don’t quite go according to plan: See 0. Speaking of breathtaking: the sometimes challenging rolling terrain will do this to you if you are more accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle. But even the spuddiest of couch potatoes will be able to explore the Dordogne on an e-bike, which offers varying levels of assistance that can flatten the most daunting of hills. I can’t say enough superlatives about the Dordogne: it is truly an enchanting place filled with a rich sense of history and timelessness that span human and geologic scales, as manifested in its fortified churches, lonely hilltop castles, prehistoric art and subterranean caves unchanged over millions of years. I’m immensely grateful to Cycle The Dordogne for making it possible for me to appreciate this place personally and up close. I will be back.

Kris & Roman
Toronto, Canada, Sept 2018

We’ve just returned from our third Cycle-the-Dordogne adventure and Cliff and Annie have done it again! The routes were brilliantly planned to let us take full advantage of the spectacular country-side while at the same time avoiding heavily-trafficked roads. The selection of hotels – ranging from the ultra-luxe to the charming to the downright quirky – could only be work of people who know and love this magnificent region as they do. The service, as always, was prompt and dependable and the new high-end bicycles certainly added to the experience. We highly recommend Cycle-the-Dordogne to anyone who is considering a self-touring cycling adventure and we are certain that, like us, you will be coming back for more.

Willy Reca
Buenos Aires, Argentina, June 2018

Our group of eight spent a week in early June cycling through an itinerary prepared by Cliff. Everything was outstanding, excellent hotel selection, idyllic itinerary,good bikes. We strongly recommend Cliff’s organization if you are planning a Dordogne bike trip.

Jean and Roger Parkes
Stourbridge UK, Sept 2018

For our second tour with Cycle The Dordogne Cliff organised a great route exploring the Lot valley and crossing the high Causses between Cahors in the south and Martel in the north. Although we are now both celebrating 3 score years and ten the beautiful undulating countryside presented no problems especially for my wife on an electric pedal assist bike!. The hotels and their restaurants were friendly comfortable and the food awesome, (one restaurant had a Michelin star !) The route notes were clear and included lots of information about the locations we were in. Luggage was always waiting for us on arrival each cycling day enabling us to quickly check in and have a relaxing drink on the terrace. Cliff and Annie’s attention to detail and help and assistance resulted in a truly enjoyable no worries and relaxing holiday.

Nicky and Howard Robinson
Shropshire, UK, August 2018

We asked Cliff to organise a 12 day ebiking tour in the quieter areas of the Lot Valley. His attention to detail was superb and we enjoyed a fabulous trip starting and finishing at Gourdon, south of the Dordogne. The directions for the route were well explained and we enjoyed the fact that it took us a little off the beaten track but with lots of highlights along the way. Our accommodation and most of our meals were booked for us, all we had to do was get on the bikes and follow Cliff’s directions. A memorable trip and we would not hesitate to recommend Cycle the Dordogne with Cliff’s expertise of the area to cyclists.

Marcia Doheny
Sydney, Australia, June 2018

Four of us spent 6 days cycling around the beautiful Dordogne region. We all agreed that it was one of the best holidays we had ever had. The beautiful rural landscape and exquisite villages coupled with fabulous cycling, food and hotels could not have been better. Cliff and Annie were very friendly and helpful and had organised everything perfectly. Their choices of hotels and restaurants was also excellent. All in all we agreed that we would happily go back tomorrow and repeat what was a truly enjoyable and happy holiday. We are all in our late 50s and reasonably fit and found the cycling perfectly manageable even though there were a few biggish hills! Thanks Cliff and Annie for organising a wonderful holiday. We will be back.

Greg Otis
New York, USA, May 2018

A friend and I just completed an excellent hiking trip organized by Cliff Walker of “Cycle the Dordogne” and “Randonnée en Dordogne.” The trip was meticulously planned to accommodate our fitness level and time available and sent us to delightful, picturesque towns in the the beautiful Dordogne valley. The hotels were comfortable and accommodating and the meals were superb. The routes were well planned, keeping primarily to country roads and trails, and the directions were meticulous. All along the route we heard birds singing and saw wildflowers blooming, and paused to appreciate awe-inspiring vistas and ancient villages. For lunch we stocked up at open-air markets on fresh local produce and picnicked by the walls of towering chateaux. For dinner we enjoyed the incomparable cuisine of Perigord in friendly, atmospheric hotels and restaurants. Certainly among the best vacations I’ve ever had.

Liz Newton and Carl Nutbrown
Warrington, UK
Adult group, June/July 18

We met with some friends from Australia for what turned out to be a glorious week, cycling in the Dordogne. Cliff and Annie provide an excellent service. Cliff is clearly a passionate cyclist himself but he designed a route that was perfect for us. Great routes on very quiet roads, with enough cycling to feel we had earned our dinner but with enough time to do some sight seeing, swim in the river, enjoy the natural environment and generally have fun. Excellent choice of characterful hotels, all with their own charms and some of the best meals I have ever eaten. The bikes and kit were great and the support from Cliff there when we needed it but not intrusive. I can’t recommend this company highly enough. They helped us have a perfect little adventure.. We all loved it.

Spiros and Maria
Melbourne, Australia, Sept 2017

What a fabulous way to explore the Dordogne and experience French culture, history, gourmet delights and stunning scenery that this region has to offer. This cycling adventure exceeded our expectations and a big thank you to Cliff and Annie for organising the itinerary, bikes, excellent accommodation and providing outstanding support and hospitality.

Stuart Auchincloss
Woodstock, NY USA, Sept/Oct 2017

We had a really good trip. Cliff provides such friendly personal service that even when we needed a little special care he made it seem easy. And if you do not know this part of France I cannot think of a better guide. I recommend Cycle the Dordogne without reservation.

Jean & Roger Parkes
Stourbridge, UK, Sept 2017

Excellent introduction to the Dordogne with just the right balance between the tourist locations and hidden gems of medieval villages. Relaxing, carefully selected routes along high ridges and river valleys took in fabulous countryside always full of interest and none of the climbs were difficult particularly for my wife who was supplied with a state of the art electric assist bike! The accurate easy to follow route notes were full of interesting information and optional diversions on most days made the holiday truly flexible. At the end of each day we stayed in friendly family hotels where our luggage was always waiting and enjoyed superb local food with lots of menu choices. Cliff’s attention to detail, local knowledge and advice made this a great trouble free holiday. Well done!

Will Cogburn
Florida, USA, Sept/Oct 2018

Hi Cliff, We want to thank you for such a wonderful trip. The accommodations and routes (roads) were perfect. The bikes were perfect, thanks so much for getting us the Specialized hybrids, they were great. Thanks again, the tour exceeded all of our expectations. We hope to be able to return soon. Will and Dianne.

Heather and David England
Port Elliot, South Australia, Sept 2017

A superb week in the Dordogne thanks to Cliff and Annie. Our tailor-made tour included transport for us and our baggage, very detailed bike route directions, thoroughly equipped bikes in very good condition, delightful accommodation, fabulous breakfasts, delicious dinners where included, accessibility to help when needed and simply wonderful French experiences. So well looked after – thank you both! You understand what hospitality and service are all about.

Roger McCarthy
Whistler, B.C. Canada, Sept 2017

My 4th tour with Cliff & Annie and there are few things in life that equal rolling along on your bike, and even less things in life that equal cycling the Dordogne/Lot river valleys. The pavement is like velvet, the scenery is from centuries before, the food is outstanding and Cliff is a gem of a person, full of details on each days ride, shows up to move your bags with a grin and story or two, (“don’t miss this or be sure to stop there and see the …..!”) Its something you do with friends, family and create lifetime memories. Ive been home a couple of weeks and I can not get the whole experience out of my mind, I work in the resort business, we talk about creating memories in peoples vacations, to ride the Dordogne or the Lot will at times stop you in your tracks, leave you with images in your mind and pictures that just do justice to the dramatic buildings and bridges constructed so long ago…. Amazing! I’m coming back!!!

Janet Cunningham
Vancouver, BC, Canada, Sept 2017

We had a wonderful trip thanks to the superb organization of Cliff Walker. We enjoyed riding on quiet roads, visiting medieval towns and subterranean caves. The hills and valleys were beautiful and the ride challenging at times but the bikes were excellent and we knew that at the end of the day there was a cold beer, a delicious dinner and a warm bed waiting for us. Thank you Cliff and Annie for your assistance and willingness to help in any way you could. We appreciated the meticulous planning and will be back to ride another day. We loved the Lot. Janet and John.

Toni Suddes
Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug 2107

A cycle through south west France, along the Dordogne River, in the most spectacular countryside, was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had! Cliff designed a spectacular route, chose amazing family owned hotels in the most picturesque towns with mind blowing historical sites en route. The dinners included in the package our group chose were sublime! Visiting other parts of the world, we experience global culture, global food and products etc. This trip was everything and only French – french people, french culture, french food, french products, french countryside and more. If you want to experience France, this is the way to do it – on a bicycle and on an organised trip with the professional team – Cliff and Annie.

Ashley Truscott
Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug 2017

Dear Cliff, This was honestly one of the best holidays I’ve ever had. Your choice of hotels was outstanding, the food was incredible, the scenery magnificent and the cycling just comfortable/challenging enough. Thank you so much for all you did to make it such a fabulous experience. I hope to send many friends your way; and of course to come back myself some day soon.

Duane and Donna Smelser-Domila
Portland, Oregon, USA, Aug 2017

Without fail, every expectation we had about this trip was far surpassed. Cliff took care of us from the moment we arrived till the morning we departed for Paris. Every accommodation, every meal was like living a dream. The riding was simply pleasurable and one amazing view after another. Even the handful of hills that were challenging for us and our companions David and Elaine on our tandem bikes, what we found at the top, and experienced on the way down, more than made up for our efforts (i.e. Rocamadour, St. Circ Lapopie, Figeac). Stunning beauty, master artisans and artists, mind blowing history, to die for food, and the most memorable experiences of the French people we met. We love the generosity and warm welcome they gave us. We will most definitely be back and we are raving fans of Cliff and Annie’s Cycle-the-Dordogne

Chris & Rick Millikan
south of Vancouver, BC Canada, May-June, 2017

We LOVED our self guided holiday with Cycle the Dordogne and highly recommend this company. Our itinerary was well suited to our interests and needs. Every day brought us new and wondrous sights and experiences. The weather overall was fine, the bikes just excellent and the itinerary details perfect. All hotels and meals en route proved amazing in every case. Cliff’s personal, hands on orientation, details, suggestions and enthusiasm was much appreciated. He’s an amazing resource indeed. Our experiences in the Dordogne/Lot River valleys were superb, sights amazing, options remarkable. Every aspect of our experience led to a great feeling of success and achievement at the end of 300 km from Cahors to Gourdon. Thank You Cliff for everything!

Andrea & Mark
Cheltenham, UK, June 2017

We loved everything about our trip with Cycle the Dordogne – a beautiful part of the world and travelling through it by bike was a wonderful experience. Cliff’s personal attention was evident from the start, from helping us plan our holiday, welcoming us and helping out with unexpected problems to the level of planning and attention to detail in the route guidance which was excellent. Bikes were great with really well thought out equipment ideal for the trip. This was our first touring trip in France and it was all we’d hoped for, fantastic routes, great sightseeing, wonderful food and, best of all, turning up to lovely local hotels at the end of each day knowing our bags were waiting for us and there was nothing to do but relax and look forward to the next day. We’re happy to highly recommend Cycle the Dordogne.

Kris and Roman
Toronto, Canada, June 2017

We very highly recommend Cliff and Cycle the Dordogne. We have been on many bike trips in different countries, using many excellent companies, and his ranks right up at the top. Because Cliff lives right in the area, he selects the very best routes to get from place to place, was able to tailor a great new itinerary for us that took into account our desire to see some places we visited in 1995 and to explore new places in the spectacular Lot, and was able to advise us on how to arrive and depart from the region (including a generous offer to pick us up at the train station in Sarlat, cutting the length of our trip from Bordeaux by several hours). The bikes were fantastic, including the high quality and good-size but lightweight panniers. The tips on sights to see en route were great and we were very glad that we followed them all. (If any caves are on your route, particularly the Gouffre de Padirac, do not pass them by!) The hotels, including the breakfasts, were very nice, and the timing of the included dinners very smart. Cliff’s level of organization, attention to detail and knowledge of cyclists’ needs helped make for a wonderful and completely glitch-free vacation, and even before our train started to pull away from Gourdon, we started to think about another trip with Cliff in this spectacular region next year. Thanks Cliff (and Annie!)

Ralph and Evelyn Edwards
Coquitlam, BC, Canada, May 2017

This trip exceeded our expectations and was amazing in all respects! The beauty of this area is outstanding and combined with the culture and food and accommodation made this our favorite bike trip ever. Cliff was very helpful and available throughout the tour. The bikes were excellent , new and geared for the terrain. We would highly recommend Cycle The Dordogne to anyone wishing a trip to this area of France.

Sandra Harper
Los Angeles, California, USA, May 2017

Biking in the Dordogne was the trip of a lifetime and Cliff made it possible. He worked with us on the itinerary so we visited the towns and sights that we wanted and biked as far as we wanted in a day. The hotels were lovely and the innkeepers were warm and friendly. If you’re looking for a truly magical vacation in this storybook land, call Cycle the Dordogne.

Pam and Gordon Brown
Kentville, NS Canada, April 2017

Our recent experience with Cycle the Dordogne was superb in every regard. It started with Cliff assembling a custom itinerary and making some excellent suggestions. The resulting tour was exactly what we were looking for in terms of terrain, scenery, history (and pre-history), accommodation and marvellous food and wine. Our tour included everything we could wish for, the lovely and quiet Lot and Cele valleys, the wild but accessible Causses, and the stunning Dordogne valley. The bikes were excellent and as we are in our late 60s and Pam was delighted with her e-bike! We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and the support from Cliff was outstanding.

Tom Haigh
Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA, Oct 2016

Thanks very much for putting together a wonderful trip for us last month. The routes were very pleasant to ride with lots of interesting sites along the way, and the cue sheets did a good job of keeping us on route. We really appreciated the opportunities to talk with you most mornings. You helped set expectations for the day and clued us about good things to see and do along the way. Accommodations were very good, and the food was absolutely incredible. It’s easy to see why you have return business. We will definitely recommend Cycling the Dordogne to our friends and acquaintances.

Anita and Roland Richard
Winnipeg, Canada, Oct 2016

Wonderful trip! Maps and daily directions were very clear and easy to follow. Lots of information provided for sightseeing. Bicycle quality was excellent. Accommodation and provided meals were also excellent. Support provided by Cliff was very timely and personalized – he even facilitated train travel to and from the area. The Dordogne region is a beautiful area to cycle with beautiful scenery and lots of history. Thanks Cliff for a wonderful week!

Maureen Donovan
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Sept 2016

We all loved our trip and those of us who have done such trips agree that this was by far our best experience. We loved the route, for its scenery and lack of traffic, and we loved the hotels. Most notable were the wonderful people of Dordogne who I am now dubbing the Chesterites of France. (The people of Chester, Nova Scotia, are the warmest people I have met in my travels). Thank you for the great bikes and excellent service. We will be back!

Margie and Rich
Maui, Hawaii, Sept 2016

Many thanks and much appreciation to Cliff–you organized a truly wonderful and memorable journey for our party of four. The bikes and bike routes were excellent, the food and wine amazing…..we really couldn’t have done it without you!!

Gina and David Sandwith
British Columbia, Canada, Sept 2016

The Dordogne is best experienced from your bike. You can take your time, smell the flowers or the drying hay, stop to pick blackberries and grapes on the side of the road, eat a picnic lunch under a shady tree in a town square, enjoy a cappuccino at a bistro table set up on a quiet sidewalk in a charming little village or sip on a cold one when the day gets too hot. The best part is when you don’t have to worry about your luggage, you know it will be waiting for you at your next hotel. And when you make a faux pas and pack your directions in that luggage instead of with you on the bike – Cliff is only an email or a phone call away. We experienced all of the above and enjoyed every bit of our 8-day trip and would not hesitate to recommend Cycle-the-Dordogne to anyone. Thank you, Cliff!

Peter Margetts
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Sept 2016

Cliff came highly recommended from my brother and sister-in-law who we cycled with – it was our first time and their 3rd time with Cycle The Dordogne. We booked late and Cliff managed to get us all booked into the same hotels together. The hotels were really fantastic – Martel was really outstanding and unique. The cycling was challenging but the views were worth the work. Overall, an excellent experience and memorable holiday.

Phillip Vecchio and Stephen Riley
Brisbane, Australia, Sept 2016

Thank you Cliff for your personal and gifted contribution to a most wonderful adventure through your “back yard”, the wonderful surrounds and villages of the Dordogne. What sets you apart from other self-guided trips is your high level of personal interest, presence and degree of easy contact. We loved how you “live and breathe” what you sell, how easy and responsive you are to individual and acute issues and the fine details provided for each day in a most comprehensive set of trip notes. You are just as interested in the food, accommodation standard and possible daily activities as the cycling, which makes for a fantastic journey minute-for-minute. The hotels, suggested menus and other advice were very much enjoyed and of a memorable standard. To state we really enjoyed the lifelong memories created by this long-awaited journey is barely enough to state how happy we were will all. Wish I/we could come again tomorrow. Thanks for all.

John Rogers
Brisbane, Australia, June 2016

In June 2016, we did our third tour with Cliff Walker and Cycle the Dordogne, giving a total of 7 weeks in ‘heaven’ since 2011. This time we started in Lalinde and headed east, via Tremolat, Montignac, and Sarlat, ending up in Gourdon. The weather was less than perfect with a couple of unpleasant wet afternoons but even Cliff can’t control the weather; he’s good but not that good! Some of the hills never seemed to end -it may be electric bikes for us next time! As in past visits, the scenery was stunning, the hotels that Cliff recommended were fantastic and the village food markets to die for. Highlights this time were the dinners at the Michelin 1-star restaurant in Tremolat and at Les Eyzies de Tayac; spending the children’s inheritance one bite at a time, but worth it! Visits to the Grottes de Rouffignac and Lascaux II, plus the Saturday markets in Sarlat topped off another incredible visit. We will be back for a fourth visit as soon as we can manage it! Again the bikes that Cliff supplied were well maintained, with good panniers and bottle cages. As well, the detailed itineraries that Cliff provided were spot on for details and distances. Many thanks Cliff for another fantastic trip.

Marilyn and Pat
Oregon, USA, July 2016

We thought to make a bike trip through the Lot on our own until I discovered Cycling the Dordogne. I contacted Cliff less than a month before our travel dates. He was very responsive to putting together a trip that met our needs. His recommendations were excellent and I cannot thank him enough. The riding instructions were easy to follow, lovely hotels, excellent restaurants, good recommendations on sightseeing along the route. Cliff is well organized as was our trip. We are looking forward to traveling again with Cycle the Dordogne. Happy cycling, Marilyn and Pat.

Chris & Rick Millikan
south of Vancouver, BC Canada, May-June, 2017

We LOVED our self guided holiday with Cycle the Dordogne ae superb, sights amazing, options remarkable. Every aspect of our experience led to a great feeling of success and achievement at the end of 300 km from Cahors to Gourdon. Thank You Cliff for everything!

Phil ParkerPhil Parker
Melbourne, Australia, June 2016

Very well-organised tour – Cliff takes your luggage from hotel to hotel while you meander through the beautiful countryside. The places we stayed were wonderful – especially Le Roque Gageac. Wish we had more time. Highly recommend this way of seeing the Dordogne.

James Hurley
Berkeley, California, USA, July 2016

Our early July tour is going to stand as one of the most enjoyable and memorable family vacations we’ve done. Our 11-year old boy rode the whole thing and was so proud of himself and has become inspired as a cyclist. The weather cooperated and crowds and traffic were very reasonable. Rocamadour and the Font de Gaume cave were amazing, and so was our day off the bike canoeing the Dordogne river. Cliff picked cycling routes on idyllic roads. The hotels were nice and usually turned out to be the best ones in their respective villages. Dinner on the terrace at La Roque Gageac was one of the highlights of the trip. In terms of organization, it worked like clockwork. Everything and everyone was just where it was supposed to be when it was supposed to be.

Gill and John Brigham
County Durham, UK, June/July 2016

Dear Cliff, We had thought for a few years about a cycling holiday in France and finally took the plunge this year. We chose your company after an Internet search and are so glad we did. The organisation has been excellent and the whole process made so simple. Everything from the bikes to the lovely hotels and food has been outstanding, and the people have without exception made us so welcome in this beautiful part of France We would love to do it again and would recommend Cycle the Dordogne without reservation to anyone.

Fleur and Goddy Cray
Auckland, New Zealand, July 2016

From the first email contact I had with Cliff I knew that he understood our requirements. One keen cyclist and one newbie wanting to explore the Dordorge on a tight 7 day time frame. He mapped out a wonderful itinerary that we both enjoyed taking in this beautiful area. The rides were just long enough to cope with the delicious food and drink we consumed at the places we stayed. He was very accommodating when an unexpected business meeting delayed our start by one day and we really appreciated his help. I highly recommend Cycle the Dordogne to anyone wanting stress free self guided cycling in the Dordogne.

Dot & Colin Brown
Melbourne, Australia, July 2016

Dear Cliff, We can’t begin to thank you enough for the great cycling experience we’ve had in the Dordogne. Your detailed riding instructions were easy to follow and directed us into the most amazingly beautiful villages. Colin and I really appreciated your efficiency.We have loved the E-Bikes and they certainly made the hills manageable! Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity you have provided for us, a couple of ageing Australians! We will certainly recommend your company to all our cycling friends back in Melbourne. Good luck with your business and I am sure that it will continue to grow and be successful as knowledge of what you offer becomes wider known.Thank you again for an unforgettable experience. Kindest Regards, Dot & Col.

Steve N.
Santa Barbara, California, USA, June 2016

Ten years ago when I visited the Dordogne region for the first time I thought it would be a great place to ride and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Thanks to Cliff at Cycle-The-Dordogne for making my dream a fantastic reality! From the earliest planning stage he was so easy to work with; he paid attention to our needs and building an itinerary that would satisfy a mixed group of cyclists and tourists. Cliff’s professionalism and deep knowledge of the region resulted in a truly wonderful experience for us all. The hotels, the routes he put together, including several options, varied activities, the dining, were all superlative. In case you’re still thinking about it – you don’t need a fully supported tour outfit in this area to have a great experience. It is an easy place to find your way, and Cliff’s route sheets are excellent; the terrain is forgiving but as challenging as you want to make it. He will design the adventure that you want at a fraction the cost. (There are many better ways to spend your money here than on a SAG wagon!) My wife rode one of his electric bikes which allowed her to participate fully and have a great time, even up the steepest hills. If you want pro-quality road bikes, Cliff can hook you up. I unequivocally and enthusiastically give Cliff and Cycle The Dordogne my highest recommendation!

Ian Eadie
South Africa, June 2016

We were with a party of 16, and had various levels of cycling expertise. Cliff’s professionalism, friendliness and organisation were the best. From our bikes, which were very good hybrids and ebikes,our charming hotels, directions and routes, I felt well looked after without being confined. Would definitely love to do this again and would recommend this to any and everyone.

Neil & Rosalie
South Africa, June 2016

We were a group of 16 consisting of experienced to novice cyclers. Cliff took care of all our needs, supplying ebikes for some and even ferrying one of two near the end of our trip who had either to leave early due to other plans or were not well. His attention to detail re route maps and briefing at the start etc was spot on. His suggestions re routes and places to visit along the way were excellent and helped make this trip a memorable one. This was the 2nd cycle trip my wife and I had done in the Dordogne region but was by far the best. Cliff’s choice of hotels he booked us into was excellent and ticked all the “boxes” re location, standard, dining etc. Thanks Cliff for a fantastic trip!

Kim & Tony
Vancouver Island, Canada, June 2016

We enjoyed an outstanding “Cycle The Dordogne” bike trip in June 2016. We were furnished with quality, comfortable hybrid bikes and a well-considered selection of biking accessories (odometer, expandable panniers etc). The cycling directions were clear and accurate. Our accommodations (we picked the mid-range option) were unique and charming, with excellent dining opportunities. The sights of the Dordogne valley – where do I begin? You have to see it for yourself. Cliff is highly organized with great attention to detail, but we particularly enjoyed his welcoming personality, well-informed suggestions for sightseeing and overall helpfulness with respect to our transport arrangements. He’s a great source of local knowledge. The weather did not favour us, but we were having too good a time to notice.

Raymond Quek
Singapore, May 2016

Hi Cliff & Annie, Taking your guidance to cover the Dordogne on a bicycle was the best decision I made on the holiday trip to France. I really enjoyed the beautiful, quiet and safe cycling in the region. In addition, both good accommodation and food are to be appreciated. Till we meet again, au revoir for now. Regards, Raymond.

Claire and John
Connecticut, USA, May 2016

Cliff put together a wonderful 5 night / 4 day ride for us. He provided a very detailed itinerary with clear directions, along with notes on the history of the areas we were experiencing, and suggestions on sights to see along the way. The hotel accommodations arranged by Cliff were top notch, and our trip included all breakfasts and several dinners. The meals on the entire trip were excellent. The bikes were high quality and included an odometer which made following the directions foolproof. I did not realize how roomy the panniers and handlebar bag would be. I was planning to ride with a backpack camera bag, but I did not need to – everything and more fit into the side panniers, and the handlebar bag was great for valuables and other small items. Cliff provided friendly, personal service as well, and our luggage magically was waiting for us at each hotel when we arrived. We had a great time and came back with a lot of memories and photos. Thanks Cliff!

Denise and Ken Klassen
Saskatchewan, Canada, May 2016

We had a great vacation with Cycle The Dordogne. We didn’t have a lot of time but Cliff arranged a 5 night 4 day cycle adventure for us. We were very impressed with all we got to see during our trip. Cliff was very quick to answer any questions we had before the trip started.The itinerary he gave us was easy to follow and he gave us lots of helpful suggestions before we started. We liked all our hotels and enjoyed the delicious meals at each one. If you are thinking of a cycling holiday, we highly recommend this one!

Don and Linda Grant
Nelson New Zealand, Sept/Oct 2015

Impressed by this website, we emailed Cliff and were immediately provided with excellent advice concerning the journey we’d chosen and what we wanted to see. We adopted all of Cliff’s suggestions. For example, he recommended the Font De Gaume cave at Les Eyzies, explained why we should arrive there very early, as booking ahead was not possible. This ensured an excellent tour of the prehistoric art-work in the cave. With all this help, we felt that Cliff had already gone the extra mile for us even before we left NZ. But there’s more. Firstly, our train from Toulouse was late, but Cliff was there at Gourdon station to meet us and take us to the excellent Hotel, where he reviewed the itinerary notes he’d sent us, provided us with maps and explained the workings of the superb bikes. Secondly, I had picked up a stomach bug which made it impossible for me to ride on the second day. Cliff immediately responded to our phone call, arranged for Annie to take us by car (stopping at a pharmacy en route) and transported our bikes to the next stage himself. After this, all was well. The delightful countryside of the Dordogne, the beautiful villages along the way and the history and pre-history of the area all contributed to a wonderful week of cycling, and Cliff’s recommendation of adding Rocamadour to our itinerary had the unexpected bonus of our seeing the annual hot air balloon festival there. Finally, even after our tour had officially ended, Cliff not only transported Linda (and all our washing) to the laundromat in Gourdon, but also drove me to Sarlat to pick up a rental car for the next stage of our journey. We could not give Cliff and Annie enough praise for the way they looked after us.

Ralph & Karen
Victoria, B.C., Canada, Oct 2015

Thank you Cliff for organizing our fabulous 10 day cycle tour! Each destination along our route was delightful to experience with manageable distances and terrain. The gourmet meals were fantastic. Each hotel was interesting and comfortable with warm hospitality. Being able to explore 7 caves of which 3 had remarkable ancient authentic pictographs was special. The Lot and Dordogne regions are magnificent, beyond our expectations, fulfilling a long-term dream!

DonDon
Michigan, USA, Oct 2015

Very much enjoyed and benefited from the local knowledge and local headquarters. We thought it was a good idea to use a service that was located in area. It was good to know that Cliff was only a text or phone call away. We actually saw and talked to him several times on the trip. We met more than a few people enroute who felt from letdown to abandoned by their faraway companies. For best results, go local for your provider. The bikes were very good quality, the canoe outfitter was right on time and the hiking portion was very much off-road as we requested. Did I mention the food? It was excellent. Don and AJ Michigan.

Carol & Jim
San Francisco, California, Oct 2015

My husband and I went on a 7-day Dordogne trip during the first half of October. There was a bit of a leap-of-faith throwing my money across the pond on the basis of his website, but, everything was spot-on — from Cliff showing up at our hotel on time, the excellent bikes and supplies, the engaging routes, the wonderful hotels, the scrumptious breakfasts and dinners, the flawless delivery of the luggage, and even, the weather. It was like knowing someone who lives in the area and having them plan a perfect trip for you. France is very bike-friendly and this area can’t be beat with so many interesting sites to see & delicious food. I highly recommend Cycle-the-Dordogne!! It was perfect -an independent trip, yet with all the time-consuming planning and leg-work taken care of. Feel free to contact me,via Cliff, for more info.

Steve Nicol
Tasmania, Sept 2015

Just returned from a wonderful week in the Dordogne organised by Cliff. The hotels were great, the food overwhelming and the organisation was first rate. Cliff attended to minor crises efficiently and organised complicated arrangements with aplomb. This area of France is beautiful and the rides are not too challenging – but are almost enough to justify the amount of excellent food consumed. Many thanks Cliff from Steve, Di, Jane and Ralph.

Annabel, Rob & John
Bungendore NSW Australia, Aug 2015

Thank you Cliff for arranging such a wonderful 11-day cycling tour for 3 of us (including 19 yr old). Each day was an adventure, with the itinerary planned so well to allow traditional ‘tourism’ and peace on quiet country roads, swimming in & lunch by the Dordogne etc. Great comfortable bikes, accommodation fabulous & superb dinners. Thankyou for backup support when needed. Highly recommended – excellent holiday for all. Memorable adventure.

Libby & Ralf Beyerle
Thirlstane, Tasmania, Aug 2015

What a great cycling holiday! Cliff organised a 12 day cycling tour for us which was a treat all the way. The bikes were great quality and the daily tour suggestions gave plenty of options to explore this beautiful region safely utilising quiet country roads. Hotels were fine but the exceptional dining experiences organised by Cliff were memorable. Highly recommend ‘Cycle the Dordogne’ to anyone contemplating a cycling holiday. Thank you Cliff.

Debbie and Kevin Neale
Barwon Heads, Australia, July 2015

We had a great week cycling through beautiful countryside and amazing villages. Cliff put a lot of thought/planning into the itinerary which meant each day went smoothly and was most enjoyable. The bikes were excellent as was the back up support that was provided. Would highly recommend CycleThe Dordogne with Cliff to others.

John & Heather
Torquay, Australia, Aug 2015

Fantastic trip thanks to Cliff’s great organisation. Trip notes were good, giving lots of ideas on what to see and do along the way. Excellent hotels with great food. Most cycling was on quiet roads even though it was peak season. We would highly recommend it to anyone up for a bit of adventure.

Jane Poletti
Melbourne, Australia, June/July 2015

On behalf of our family [including our 12yo son], I’d like to thank Cliff for our truly wonderful week of cycling the Dordogne at the end of June. It was superbly organised by Cliff, with brilliant detailed daily itineraries on small little-trafficked roads, lovely places to stay, food to die-for, and many interesting events to punctuate the cycling day. Cliff really personalised our experience and the daily itineraries showed us that Cliff knows the area really well and the best roads for cycling. The Dordogne is the perfect area for cycling -very picturesque, challenging but do-able terrain, places to swim and relatively few cars and tourists [at least in June]. My first cycling holiday – but definitely not my last! Thanks Cliff

Karen Wilson
Sydney, Australia, Aug 2015

Hi Cliff and Annie, Just wanted to say thank you for organising a lovely week in the Dordogne, a truely beautiful area. Also, thank you for delivering our car, much appreciated. The whole walk was well organised, instructions clear and hotels all well up to the standard we expected while each having their own personalities and great food. We will certainly recommend your company and in fact met another couple from Melbourne who were using your cycling tour and were equally happy and impressed. Karen and Peter Wilson.

Simon Harris
Perth, Australia, June 2015

Fantastic route and program co-ordinated by Cliff and the team. Quiet roads and sensational scenery along the way! Hotels were very hospitable and friendly – can’t ask for much more. Thank you again – we loved it.

Janelle and Jamie Bryce
North Fitzroy,Australia, June 2015

Thoroughly enjoyed our experience of cycling the Dordogne. We appreciated Cliff’s warm welcome, great organisation and logistical support. The bikes were perfect for the terrain and a better standard than many others we saw being used on organised tours. The routes provided beautiful scenery, interesting sights and overall a very enjoyable enjoyable riding experience! Accommodation and meal options were all great too. Thanks so much for giving us a great start to our European cycling holiday. We highly recommend it!

Alex Shattuck
London, England, May 2015

Cliff, Been meaning to drop you a line for a few weeks now. Just wanted to say thank you for putting together a very lovely weekend for us in early May. It was the first cycling experience for Sarah and me and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Your recommendations/ routes were superb and we were very pleased with our experience. We will certainly recommend to our friends who are looking to do something similar. Thanks again.

Martin Porter
Malvern, England, June 2015

Dear Cliff, My wife and I have just returned from a fabulous holiday organised by yourself. You had customised the tour to our needs exactly. Not too difficult cycling, cosy and friendly hotels, good food and wonderful scenery. Sorry we kept you waiting on occasions! We will sing your praises to our friends.

Suzanne McKay
Brandy Hill, Australia, June 2015

We have just completed a wonderful nine days cycling the spectacular region of the Dordogne. It was simply the best holiday with a lovely mix of cycling and sightseeing. Our accommodation was wonderful and the food was superb! Cliff’s organisation, communication and local knowledge was great – ensuring there was variety in both the scenery and the places we stayed. Thanks again Cliff for a wonderful holiday.

Jan Saunders
Perth WA, May 2015

Our group of 4 friends from Perth did a 12 day cycling tour through Dordogne staying at 5 beautiful villages. We had a great trip seeing lots of beautiful scenery and staying in some really exceptional hotels. We especially enjoyed the dinners included with our trip at each hotel and the food was the best on our trip. All hotel staff and owners were very friendly and helpful and made our stay very enjoyable. Congratulations Cliff on such a well run tour. The bikes were great and it was lovely to meet Cliff who explained the trip very clearly and answered all our questions. We could not fault anything at all and hopefully can make the long journey back to France and the Dordogne to see some more.

Cindy Jacobson
California, May 2015

We just returned from our visit to the Dordogne, and what a wonderful trip! Every aspect was perfectly planned by Cliff. The routes we rode on the “Dordogne 2” trip were very quiet and charming, with many more cows, sheep, and fields of hay and poppies than cars. We couldn’t believe how many of the “plus beaux villages de France” and chateaux we were able to see in in such a small area. The hotels were all nice, the hotel staff always extremely helpful, and the food spectacular. We especially appreciated Cliff’s personal attention and detailed knowledge of the region -choosing a local like Cliff instead of a large tour company is clearly the way to go! Thanks for such a memorable vacation.

Bill & Pauline McGuire
Canberra, Australia, July 2014

From the first long, downhill sweep through expansive farmlands to our final elegant meal at Hostellerie de la Bouriane, cycling the Dordogne was pure joy. Cliff’s thoughtful itinerary took us along quiet roads where we were often the only travelers in a fragrant, flower-studded landscape. And at the end of each blissful day there was the reward of a comfortable hotel, guesthouse or farmstay. Along the way we met cyclists doing similar journeys and noted with some satisfaction that none seemed entirely satisfied with the planning of their tours. Ours was the best! Thanks, Cliff, for your calm organisation and guidance. We’ll be back.

Eng
Brisbane, Australia, Sept 2014

It was with a great sense of achievement, exhilaration and wonder that I completed a ten day cycling tour as a single female person through one of the most scenic parts of France…Gourdon, Rocamadour, La rogue Gageau, Les Eyzies. The scenery, weather, food and people…..they are all unforgettable. Like the Terminator says, “I’ll be back,” Cliff, thank you.

Dale Brochu
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Oct 2014

Four of us used Cycle the Dordogne tour company to cycle the Dordogne area over eight days in October. We had a fantastic time. All aspects of this trip were terrific. Cliff provided support before and during the trip. The hotels and restaurants were excellent. We were very much unilingual English, but across the region we were always welcomed and everything worked out great.

Karen Pereira
Massachusetts, USA, Sept 2014

Cycle-the-Dordogne has spoiled us for other bike tours. The route was beautiful and quiet: only on one day did we ride more than a kilometer on a busier rode, and even that stretch was short. Cliff’s directions are clear and accurate, and the lodging was varied but always pleasant. The bikes were perfectly maintained, including the panniers, and never gave us any trouble. This is wondeful cycling country, our only problem is that we did not get to see all the sites Cliff suggested, and now we want to go back!

Ian and Debbie Grose
Perth, Australia, Sept 2014

Cliff, thanks so much for a great cycling holiday. We did the 7 days Dordogne trip and it was the absolute highlight of our month in Europe. Just the 4 of us on a self-guided tour. What a great way to see the wonderful countryside. The hotels and the meals exceeded our expectations and the bikes were of a high quality. And as predicted by the person who recommended you to us, your service was amazing – even dropping me off at the rental car office in Sarlat at the end of our trip. We will return!! And have been telling all our friends.

Andy and Barbara Green
New Jersey, USA, Sept 2014

It’s been three weeks since our “Gourmet and Grottes” adventure, and it seems like a dream. Our holiday in the Lot more than exceeded our expectations. Cahors, St. Cirq La Popie, Carrenac, Loubressac, the Cele Valley, and the cave at Peche Merle were unique and beautiful. Cliff picked wonderful hotels and inns that served superb local food and wine. We’re looking forward to another “Cycle the Dordogne” vacation in the near future to continue our exploration of this magical region.

Chris Tapper
Auckland, New Zealand, Sept 2014

Hi Cliff, the ride was great. Route,villages, and all the accommodations were spot on. It has certainly whetted the appetite for return with a group of friends. Well done on the planning. Chris.

Charlotte & Yann Chatreau
Hong Kong, June 2014

Hi Cliff and Annie! Many thanks for putting together a personalised multi-activity tour of the Dordogne and the Lot (cycling-hiking-canoeing) for us. The tour exceeded our expectations re a) the routes -taking us through the picturesque French countryside and beautiful villages, b) the directions – detailed and easy to follow, c) the knowledge regarding the local area and sightseeing options – both greatly appreciated and d) the choice of accommodation and restaurants -very friendly and welcoming hosts and excellent food. In a word it was “Fantastic” and we wish we had added on a few extra days! We will most definitely be recommending Cycle the Dordogne to our friends and family. Thanks again and we look forward to discovering more of this beautiful part of the world in the future…

Betsy MacInnes
Seattle, WA, USA, June 2014

Our group of ten just finished a magical Dordogne bike trip organized by Cliff and Company. Our cycling routes were beautiful, on mostlly quiet, incredibly scenic rural roads. The trip could not have been better. Lodging and restaurant accomodations were excellent. Cliff was very responsive in the planning and organizational stages and built a trip to our specifications. We stayed three nights in a couple of the towns and still didn’t have time to take in all the sights. The bikes were perfect for the terrain and the touring nature of our trip. We enjoyed Cliff’s good humor and his wealth of knowledge of the region. We loved the trip Cliff set up for our group and highly recommend him to others wanting a great bike trip in a beautiful part of the world.

Mike Harbert
California, USA, June 2014

Thanks very much, Cliff, for all the care you put into our tour. Laura and I had an amazing and memorable time! The route you created, the places where we stayed, the incredible sites, the restaurants–it was all just right. I’m still trying to figure out how you provided perfect weather with reports of rain throughout. Your secret. Now that we’re home it almost feels like our time was more a dream than reality. Hopefully some day we’ll get to explore more of the beauty and wonder of France! With deep appreciation! Mike

Pat Kofahl & Bonnie Newhoff
Phoenix, Arizona, May 2014

Hi Cliff- we can’t say enough great things about the planning, logistics, accommodations, equipment and all-round experience on our recent trip with Cycle-the-Dordogne. Every facet of the trip exceeded our expectations, even the weather! Your hard work and expertise insured an adventure to last a lifetime, and we are grateful to have seen this lovely bit of Eden with your invaluable assistance. Your intimate knowledge of the area insured a trip we could never have managed by ourselves, and we are greatful for all your help!

Kathy Drysdale & Peter Gargiulo
Wellington, New Zealand, Sept 2013

We had a brilliant trip, thank you so much. Lots of great memories and we’re very thankful for the the thought that obviously went into the bikes, equipment and route guides. This all contributed to the enjoyment. It’s so beautiful and interesting in the area and touring by bike is a really wonderful way to see it. Thanks again, Kathy & Peter

Suzanne & Brian Sou
Sherwood Park, Canada, Sept 2013

Hi Cliff, We had a wonderful time and the cycle trip was the highlight of our vacation to France.We had a wonderful time in Carcassonne,the Provence area and Dijon,but the Dordogne was magical.Thanks for such a well organized trip, and many thanks to Annie for taking us to Sarlat. Best of luck with all your future endeavors such as the ‘Gourmet et Grottes’ idea!

Kirsten and David Wright
Auckland New Zealand, Sept 2013

Thanks Cliff for organising our cycle tour in the Dordogne. We had an amazing time and got to see parts of France that we would never have been able to see unless we hired a car. Every part of the trip was great, especially the dinners in the hotels at La Roque Gageac, Les Eyzies and Gourdon. We were quite hesitant on the first day as to whether we would be able to follow the route instructions but everything went very well. We would do another cycle tour in a heart beat and won’t hesitate to recommend you to our friends.

Deborah & Andre Denis
Marietta, Georgia, USA, Sept 2013

We had another brilliant experience. THe ultimate praise is that we returned for a second vacation. Our first one 2 years ago focused mostly on the Dordogne, so this time we complemented by focusing on the Lot. The route, commentaries, hotels, meals were once again outstanding. As we told Cliff, last year we did a shorter cycling trip in Brittany, and although the trip was fine, it highlighted for us how very professional and outstanding Cycle The Dordogne is. Unfortunately we were not able to convince Cliff to clone himself and cover all of France! The trip was so memorable again that we may well be doing a third trip in the future with Cliff. Thanks again!

Karen & Dan Fix
Madison, Wisconsin,USA, Sept 2013

Hi Cliff, Thanks for your follow-up. We had a couple days in Paris before returning to the states and home. We both keep talking about what a great time we had cycling the Dordogne region. The routes you laid out were so beautiful and the little villages delightful to bike through. Thank you for all the information on the area. The inns were perfect—–location, food, and ambience! We would certainly consider another visit to your area. Thanks, Karen and Dan

Eng
Brisbane, Australia, Sept 2014

It was with a great sense of achievement, exhilaration and wonder that I completed a ten day cycling tour as a single female person through one of the most scenic parts of France…Gourdon, Rocamadour, La rogue Gageau, Les Eyzies. The scenery, weather, food and people…..they are all unforgettable. Like the Terminator says, “I’ll be back,” Cliff, thank you.

Dale Brochu
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Oct 2014

Four of us used Cycle the Dordogne tour company to cycle the Dordogne area over eight days in October. We had a fantastic time. All aspects of this trip were terrific. Cliff provided support before and during the trip. The hotels and restaurants were excellent. We were very much unilingual English, but across the region we were always welcomed and everything worked out great.

Karen Pereira
Massachusetts, USA, Sept 2014

Cycle-the-Dordogne has spoiled us for other bike tours. The route was beautiful and quiet: only on one day did we ride more than a kilometer on a busier rode, and even that stretch was short. Cliff’s directions are clear and accurate, and the lodging was varied but always pleasant. The bikes were perfectly maintained, including the panniers, and never gave us any trouble. This is wondeful cycling country, our only problem is that we did not get to see all the sites Cliff suggested, and now we want to go back!

Ian and Debbie Grose
Perth, Australia, Sept 2014

Cliff, thanks so much for a great cycling holiday. We did the 7 days Dordogne trip and it was the absolute highlight of our month in Europe. Just the 4 of us on a self-guided tour. What a great way to see the wonderful countryside. The hotels and the meals exceeded our expectations and the bikes were of a high quality. And as predicted by the person who recommended you to us, your service was amazing – even dropping me off at the rental car office in Sarlat at the end of our trip. We will return!! And have been telling all our friends.

Andy and Barbara Green
New Jersey, USA, Sept 2014

It’s been three weeks since our “Gourmet and Grottes” adventure, and it seems like a dream. Our holiday in the Lot more than exceeded our expectations. Cahors, St. Cirq La Popie, Carrenac, Loubressac, the Cele Valley, and the cave at Peche Merle were unique and beautiful. Cliff picked wonderful hotels and inns that served superb local food and wine. We’re looking forward to another “Cycle the Dordogne” vacation in the near future to continue our exploration of this magical region.

Chris Tapper
Auckland, New Zealand, Sept 2014

Hi Cliff, the ride was great. Route,villages, and all the accommodations were spot on. It has certainly whetted the appetite for return with a group of friends. Well done on the planning. Chris.

Charlotte & Yann Chatreau
Hong Kong, June 2014

Hi Cliff and Annie! Many thanks for putting together a personalised multi-activity tour of the Dordogne and the Lot (cycling-hiking-canoeing) for us. The tour exceeded our expectations re a) the routes -taking us through the picturesque French countryside and beautiful villages, b) the directions – detailed and easy to follow, c) the knowledge regarding the local area and sightseeing options – both greatly appreciated and d) the choice of accommodation and restaurants -very friendly and welcoming hosts and excellent food. In a word it was “Fantastic” and we wish we had added on a few extra days! We will most definitely be recommending Cycle the Dordogne to our friends and family. Thanks again and we look forward to discovering more of this beautiful part of the world in the future…

Betsy MacInnes
Seattle, WA, USA, June 2014

Our group of ten just finished a magical Dordogne bike trip organized by Cliff and Company. Our cycling routes were beautiful, on mostlly quiet, incredibly scenic rural roads. The trip could not have been better. Lodging and restaurant accomodations were excellent. Cliff was very responsive in the planning and organizational stages and built a trip to our specifications. We stayed three nights in a couple of the towns and still didn’t have time to take in all the sights. The bikes were perfect for the terrain and the touring nature of our trip. We enjoyed Cliff’s good humor and his wealth of knowledge of the region. We loved the trip Cliff set up for our group and highly recommend him to others wanting a great bike trip in a beautiful part of the world.

Mike Harbert
California, USA, June 2014

Thanks very much, Cliff, for all the care you put into our tour. Laura and I had an amazing and memorable time! The route you created, the places where we stayed, the incredible sites, the restaurants–it was all just right. I’m still trying to figure out how you provided perfect weather with reports of rain throughout. Your secret. Now that we’re home it almost feels like our time was more a dream than reality. Hopefully some day we’ll get to explore more of the beauty and wonder of France! With deep appreciation! Mike

Pat Kofahl & Bonnie Newhoff
Phoenix, Arizona, May 2014

Hi Cliff- we can’t say enough great things about the planning, logistics, accommodations, equipment and all-round experience on our recent trip with Cycle-the-Dordogne. Every facet of the trip exceeded our expectations, even the weather! Your hard work and expertise insured an adventure to last a lifetime, and we are grateful to have seen this lovely bit of Eden with your invaluable assistance. Your intimate knowledge of the area insured a trip we could never have managed by ourselves, and we are greatful for all your help!

Kathy Drysdale & Peter Gargiulo
Wellington, New Zealand, Sept 2013

We had a brilliant trip, thank you so much. Lots of great memories and we’re very thankful for the the thought that obviously went into the bikes, equipment and route guides. This all contributed to the enjoyment. It’s so beautiful and interesting in the area and touring by bike is a really wonderful way to see it. Thanks again, Kathy & Peter

Suzanne & Brian Sou
Sherwood Park, Canada, Sept 2013

Hi Cliff, We had a wonderful time and the cycle trip was the highlight of our vacation to France.We had a wonderful time in Carcassonne,the Provence area and Dijon,but the Dordogne was magical.Thanks for such a well organized trip, and many thanks to Annie for taking us to Sarlat. Best of luck with all your future endeavors such as the ‘Gourmet et Grottes’ idea!

Kirsten and David Wright
Auckland New Zealand, Sept 2013

Thanks Cliff for organising our cycle tour in the Dordogne. We had an amazing time and got to see parts of France that we would never have been able to see unless we hired a car. Every part of the trip was great, especially the dinners in the hotels at La Roque Gageac, Les Eyzies and Gourdon. We were quite hesitant on the first day as to whether we would be able to follow the route instructions but everything went very well. We would do another cycle tour in a heart beat and won’t hesitate to recommend you to our friends.

Deborah & Andre Denis
Marietta, Georgia, USA, Sept 2013

We had another brilliant experience. THe ultimate praise is that we returned for a second vacation. Our first one 2 years ago focused mostly on the Dordogne, so this time we complemented by focusing on the Lot. The route, commentaries, hotels, meals were once again outstanding. As we told Cliff, last year we did a shorter cycling trip in Brittany, and although the trip was fine, it highlighted for us how very professional and outstanding Cycle The Dordogne is. Unfortunately we were not able to convince Cliff to clone himself and cover all of France! The trip was so memorable again that we may well be doing a third trip in the future with Cliff. Thanks again!

Karen & Dan Fix
Madison, Wisconsin,USA, Sept 2013

Hi Cliff, Thanks for your follow-up. We had a couple days in Paris before returning to the states and home. We both keep talking about what a great time we had cycling the Dordogne region. The routes you laid out were so beautiful and the little villages delightful to bike through. Thank you for all the information on the area. The inns were perfect—–location, food, and ambience! We would certainly consider another visit to your area. Thanks, Karen and Dan

Mark and Suzanne Second
Australia, June 2013

Thank you Cliff We had a brilliant cycle trip in the Dordogne – it exceeded our expectations ! We were a group of 6 cycling for 10 days and could have continued for another 10. Cliffs organisation is amazing, great bikes, great family run hotels, excellent food, and he even turned on the weather for us ! We have passed your name on to several people already Cliff – it is a holiday never to forget – we hope to be back to do the Lot area next time or just more of the beautiful Dordogne.

Bill and Ann Schuerman
Dayton, Ohio, USA, June, 2013

We have been taking self-guided biking tours in Europe for nearly 15 years and this was truly one of the best in terms of a combination of beauty of scenery, picture perfect towns and villages, storybook castles and historical sights, lovely family owned hotels and excellent cuisine–indeed the most charming group of hotels in which we have ever stayed. Most impressive of all was the personal attention of Cliff. We only had limited time this year and Cliff especially organized our trip for the few days we had–including returning me to our original point of departure to pick up our rental car. Would highly recommend “Cycle the Dordogne” to anyone interested in European cycling tours. The Dordogne is an extraordinarily beautiful area, full of natural and historic gems and the planning, organization and service of Cliff and his wife is exceptional. We’ll be back!

Martin Hull
London, UK, June 2013

Hi Cliff, We were sorry to miss you when we left Gourdon, but we knew we had a long drive ahead so we set out a little early. Thank You so much for our week we really enjoyed it, the hotels were lovely, the bike rides were great, and the food was brilliant. Altogether a great week away that we will never forget. Who knows we might well come back at some point we really loved it, in fact I have been singing your praises to a friend who wants to do a trip like ours. Thanks again. Linda & Martin

Gayle & Peter Donovan
Barwon Heads, Australia, May/June 2013

Bonjour Cliffy, Just home. Thank you so much for our wonderful rides through the Dordogne and Lot areas. The scenery was a postcard in the making – we loved the French chateaus and the gorgeous selection of hotels (a treat at the end of each day) – well done and great organization. Cheers and au revoir. Gayle & Peter Donovan.

Helen Lukes
Lower Hutt,New Zealand, May 2013

Bonjour Cliff and Annie Merci beaucoup. Three of our group arrived home yesterday and I must say that of our three tours in the Dordogne, Loire and Provence, for me anyway, the Dordogne ride was by far the best, and in no small way due to your wonderful organisation, route description information and hotels selected for us. I just loved everything about the area and fell for a renovated pigeonnaire (sp?) in Daglan – fortunately not for sale!! We will certainly recommend your company should any of our friends consider a trip and thank you very much for everything you did for our group. Very best wishes, Helen.

Jane Ginsburg
San Francisco, California, USA, May 14-24

Great to bike the Dordogne with you again. Despite your lack of control over the weather gods, we had a good trip. Everything was well organized and well put together….as we remember from the last time we did this twelve years ago with you.. Best to you and Annie.

Phil George
London, UK, May 2013

What a fantastic trip! We were very impressed with the way you tailored the trip to our exact requirements, your fast email correspondence with us during booking and leading up to our arrival, punctuality on meeting us, the well-maintained bikes, the clarity of your instructions and fantastic itineraries, and the hotels were lovely. It was the best holiday of this sort I have been on and I am more than happy to recommend your services to anyone else.

Chris Symonds
Calgary, Canada, March 2013

Hi Cliff, Thanks so much- everything worked out very well and we mostly lucked out with rain with some intermittent soakings on Saturday. The tour was really well organized and the hotels were excellent! Your instructions were spot on.The bikes were perfect with no problems. Sorry to have missed you on Sunday. Back home to reality now. We won’t hesitate to recommend to your trips to friends. Thanks again, Chris and family.

Margaret Wright
London, Sept 2012

This trip was an awesome experience. The scenery and historic sites were memorable. Accommodation was perfectly suited. We were a group of 7 friends and family. Cliff spent endless hours answering queries and ensuring the itinerary was suited to our interests. The bikes were comfortable and good quality and the detailed instructions for each day were useful and provide a great momento of the trip. We hope to be able to use “Cycle the Dordogne” again in the future.

Jack & Andrea Holland
Chapman, ACT, Australia, Sept 2012

Cliff, after our third walking tour with you we feel we know the area pretty well now! We will certainly continue to recommend your walks to relatives and friends. As we’ve mentioned before, apart from being in beautiful places, some of the strengths of walking with you are your familiarity with the area, your attention to detail including the walking notes, and having you close at hand if something goes amiss. Thank you.

Martha Dummer & Spencer Martin
Santa Fe,New Mexico,USA, Sept 2012

Cliff, we had an absolutely fabulous time and the area could not have been more beautiful to experience on a bicycle. You are an amazing tour director, and the personal touch to everything you did for us, we are incredibly grateful. Again, Thank you for everything.

Kathleen Huntington & Buddy Ullman
Oregon USA, Sept 2012

Dear Cliff, Visiting the Dordogne region has been part of our bucket list for quite sometime. What a beautiful part of the world to visit, thank goodness we did it on bikes. Your well equipped bikes made the hills less difficult to manage for us 60+ year olds; the hotels that you arranged and the restaurants that you chose were never disappointing. We were appreciative that you directed us to use back roads where traffic was minimal. One highlight of the trip was an unplanned opportunity to take in a choral and quartet concert in the church in Belves. We also managed to go to several farmer’s markets in the towns and villages on different days. We enjoyed meeting people who live in the area, very friendly! The whole trip was so much fun that we want to return and revisit some of the areas but also take in some places that we didn’t get to visit. Thanks again to Annie for making sure we got to the train station at the end of the trip!

Garry Christensen
Brussels, Belgium, Sept 2012

Dear Cliff, What a spectacular, fascinating region the Dordogne is ! So much to see and do. And the trip you organised for us was just the right combination of quietly, efficient organisation (good bikes, well planned and well described itineraries, charming hotels etc) and the opportunity and flexibility to plan each day to cycle and explore as we wanted. We had a wonderful time.

Audrey Holland
Arizona, USA, Sept 2012

Dear Cliff, I just want to tell you that our ALL TOO BRIEF visit to the Dordogne could NOT have been better! The hotels were charming (particularly the hotel in La Roque Gageac, where the staff were among the most delightful I have ever run into) . The food was overall fine—so good in fact that we just stayed on for more on each of our other nights at both). The suggested walks and town visits were of course also marvellous. (One day I walked 12 miles, which may not sound like much to you, but when I consider that I could not walk around my block last February, I was pretty pleased!). Both Elaine and I recognise that the trips you usually plan are quite different, but you outdid yourself in meeting our needs. Please use me as a reference if you ever need to.Once again, thank you for making our trip so wonderful. Thanks, thanks—Audrey.

Anthony Goonting
Malaysia, Sept 2012

Dear Cliff, I think the earlier message I emailed has been lost in the ether, so I am resending this email to thank you for organising a wonderful holiday for us. I have enthused to my friends about what a great holiday it was (probably ad nauseum) and I believe one of them will be getting in touch with you to organise something for them also. Best wishes to yourself and Annie and we plan to keep in touch as we will definitely be coming back for more. Anthony.

Susan Pugh & Michael Bennett
Sydney, Australia, Sept 2012

Hi Cliff,We had a great time, thank you. The bikes were great and gave us no trouble and the itinerary was excellent. We were also very impressed with the hotel accommodation throughout and the venues you had chosen for us to have dinners, which were first rate. The overall experience was wonderful. Thanks again for organising it so well for us. We will be back.

Gerard & Hilary Knecht
Edinburgh, Scotland, Sept 2012

Hi Cliff, Just to say thanks for all your help in organising our cycling tour. We had great fun and a wonderful experience. I shall certainly not hesitate to recommend your services to friends, Kind regards Hilary.

Tony & Ilona Cunningham
Sydney, Australia, August 2012

The tour was very well organised and our 3 overnight stays were superb, beautiful towns, great restaurants and excellent well equipped bikes and directions. We will have fond memories of your beautiful part of France for a long time. Ilona asks whether you arrange such tours elsewhere in France?? Many thanks, Tony.

Dave & Barbara Wagner
Gainesville, Florida, August 2012

One of the top bike rides we have enjoyed. Traveled with two other couples – all in our early to mid 60s. All riders had no problem riding the routes, although there are some moderate hills. We liked: well planned bicycle friendly routes,flawless instructions, excellent accommodation, superb meals. Cliff was extremely helpful. Bicycles were well maintained. Rack bag with paniers and handlebar bag was very useful. We plan to return to ride the Lot River valley.

Helen and Steve Dwan
Christchurch, New Zealand, July 2012

Absolutely fabulous. Cliff your bike trip was everything you said and more. Great itinerary. Wonderful attention to detail. Informative meet and greet. The accommodation and meals were superb. Cliff we had a fantastic time and the journey was worth the up hills. Especially loved the Gouffre De Padirac, Font Du Guame and La Roque St-Christophe. We have nothing like these in New Zealand so were extremely special. Your maps were easy to follow and well planned and the 50kms a day easily doable even though we are both in our late 50’s. Thankyou so much for this amazing journey. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to anyone interested in cycling rural france and seeing the real deal. Hopefully some day we may meet again. Thanks for the memories.

Peter Hay
Sydney Australia, June 2012

Merci et mercy! Thanks to Cliff for being so genial and helpful. One of our party had a flat 2 days running and he had a new bike as soon as you could say ‘Cycle the Dordogne’. The ride was exceptional and not without a few challenges but hey, what goes down has to go up! And we sure did plenty of that! Loved every minute of it too. Merci beaucoup Cliff!

Gerry & Alyson Coulter
England, June 2012

A brief note to say thanks for making the holiday special. Gerry and I really loved the daily cycle and appreciate the extra loops you gave us which gave us the mileage we wanted! So, until next year!

Tai Hew
San Francisco, June 2012

Had a great time and sad to be home. Thanks again for a great time and I will definitely recommend your tours to everyone here. And yes, we plan to return to do your other tours one of these days.

Jerry Frank Jones
Austin, Texas, June 2012

Great trip. Terrific support from Cliff. After he gave us the materials and oriented us, we hardly needed him. But on the two occasions when we did, his response was immediate. This is the 3rd biking trip to France for me and my wife. We have done a guided tour (Trektravel) and a self guided tour and now Cliff’s. We will use him again.

Valda & Percy
Toronto, April 2012

April in the Dordogne and not knowing what to expect we were totally enthralled with the tour that Cliff had prepared for us. Out of the 8 days we only missed one day of cycling because of heavy rain but were rewarded by a visit to Font- de- Gaume to see the prehistoric cave drawings. It was an excellent itinerary which covered the rockface medieval villages, the castles and magnificent gardens, and finally the prehistoric area of interest. The owners of the hotels could not have been more obliging and welcoming and the food was always a highlight of the day. The tours planned allowed enough time for sightseeing and for taking endless photos. Although the weather was cool and at times looked a bit threatening, it made for easy cycling and the roads were really quiet allowing us to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and the lush green colours. Thanks go to Cliff for organizing the tour and making it so easy for us to enjoy.

Jo-anne & Kevin
Toronto, July 2011

Cliff organized a fantastic 8 day cycling trip in early July through the Dordogne for us and our 2 teenagers. He was so helpful & patient with my many e-mails while doing the planning and he customized a perfect trip. I was concerned about busy roads in July but Cliff knows the area so well that it was never an issue. The scenery was gorgeous, the accommodations were great, the food at the included dinners was incredible, and the bikes were so good that we actually bought a couple of them when we got back home! I would definitely recommend Cliff to anyone thinking of cycling in the area.

Liz
Wollongong, Australia, Sept 2011

We had a wonderful trip designed for six people, for the Dordogne and all the sights on the way. The Pre-historic art and museums were an unexpected bonus. Cliff’s maps were excellent and each person had a copy so we could easily change leader for the day. Cliff was also there to support us when we needed it. He organised a very enjoyable tour with the knowledge of a local and within the timeframe we requested. He also gave us good bikes which we needed for the hills.

Andre & DeborahAndre & Deborah
Marietta, Georgia, USA, Oct 2011

We had a truly marvellous and memorable time. We are celebrating our 25th anniversary and this turned into a second honeymoon for us. Cliff was stellar in working out our bike tour, despite our shifts and changing dates. He and Annie know this region like only people who live in and love it would. So, not only does that turn into excellent routes which include incredible sites, vistas, caves, rivers, etc. It also ensures they have solid working relationships with a great variety of peoples/establishments where sleeping and dining becomes an additional pleasure to the daily wonders of the tour. Every detail was attended to, leaving us free to simply pedal, eat & drink to our hearts’ content. We can’t thank them enough. And we’re already talking about the next tour…

Kerry and Clint
Melbourne, Australia, Oct 2011

Just returned from a great few weeks in France, with our cycling trip a highlight. We had our two children with us, who were less enthusiastic about distance and hills, but they enjoyed themselves very much. The various alternative routes meant we could do some extra ring without the children so everyone was happy. We particularly loved Cliff’ s ability to customize our tour to our precise dates and accommodation requests. It couldn’t have been better. We’ll be back.

Margaret & John
Dublin, Eire, Sept 2011

Hi Cliff, We just came back from France on Saturday after our 4 wonderful days of cycling. Thank you so much for organising everything for us – we were blessed with the weather for sure. We were also very pleased with our achievement – 200K over 4 days. And the food – amazing! The bikes were great too and I have now found out what a friend gear 1:1 is! We will definitely be back to you next year. Many thanks. Margaret and John.

Susan Arnold
Roswell, Georgia, USA, Sept 2011

We can’t say enough about our recent Dordogne region cycling vacation. Cliff’s attention to detail and intimate knowledge of the area, roads, accommodations and restaurants ensured a flawless itinerary. Only an experienced cyclist familiar with the roads could have mapped out such incredible routes. The bicycles were comfortable, well maintained and equipped with top-of-the-line panniers. Cliff took the time to familiarize us with the routes and equipment and install the clips we brought from home on Day 1. Cliff customized our itinerary to meet our accommodation specifications (which almost always exceeded our expectations) and requests to visit specific sites. We enjoyed a number of the optional side trips and were rewarded each time with breathtaking views and authentic sites. His directions were easy to follow and the tips very helpful. We particularly enjoyed the restaurant recommendations! In short, his superior customer service ensured our trip was most enjoyable. We highly recommend booking your cycling vacation with Cliff!

Doug & Chandra
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, Sept 2011

Hi Cliff, We just arrived back in Canada yesterday. Anyway, our bike trip was great. Truly terrific. I don’t think we could have chosen a better time of year, either…comfortable weather, low traffic, smaller volume of tourists, etc. We were thrilled with the routes (and associated information), accommodations, sights, meals, and bikes. You are certainly right….who knows about the future….maybe we’ll need to see the Lot area of France! Thanks for everything. We have already, and will certainly continue to sing your praises. Douglas.

Carl and Sharon Astor
Connecticut, USA, July 2011

We could not have been more pleased with our trip. Cliff’s routes were on excellent roads, passing beautiful sites, and the lengths were well-paced. Accommodations were wonderful. The expression that Dordogne is the “kitchen of France” was true and we loved all our meals in the hotels that Cliff booked. We also saw two caves with prehistoric drawings that awed and amazed us. We suggest making this a part of any trip to Dordogne. The caves are a unique experience to this region. We have done many cycling trips and this ranks with the best of them. Thank you Cliff for everything!

Kate
NSW, Australia, June/July 2011

A wonderful cyling trip designed specifically for our groups need. We had a lovely relaxing time exploring the Dordogne and the Lot Valleys. Cliff made it all so easy for us with lovely places to stay. excellent directions and plenty of variety. I particularly liked the flexibility we had for each day with opportunities to see various sights and take some side routes along the way. I’m looking forward to another trip as there’s so much to see in this part of France. Thanks Cliff.

Tony
Maitland, Australia, June/July 2011

We are just back from a brilliant family cycling holiday through the Dordogne and Lot with Cliff. This is a spectacular part of France to explore by bicycle and we were delighted with the personalised itinerary that took in many a quiet back-country road along with the must see highlights. We had great accommodation, excellent bikes and wonderful support along the way. This was a real treat for our 3 families. Thanks Cliff.

Suzy R
Minnesota, USA, June 2011

I’ve done numerous cycle holidays in Europe, through Loire Valley Travel, Radreissen, Easy Riders, Baumeller, etc., but this was by far the best organized trip I’ve ever had! Directions, accomodations, food, scenery, sights, all were wonderful. There’s just no substitute for having someone local making the arrangements. I’d definitely do another trip with Cycle the Dordogne!

Mark & Yvonne
Sydney, Australia, June 2011

What an amazing holiday! Cliff created an itinerary for us that gave us everything we wanted from the trip and so much more. We appreciate Cliff’s expert knowledge of the Dordogne and Lot areas and his recommendations for short side trips were all well worth doing. We saw so much. This is truly an amazing holiday destination with such a variety of sights to see and experiences to have. We particularly enjoyed the caves and the prehistoric rock art (the oldest, publicly accessible art in the world) The restaurants that Cliff booked and the hotels we stayed at were superlative. Cliff’s route descriptions and directions were flawless and easy to use. The bikes were excellent (new) and despite not being ‘professional’ cyclists, found the route very manageable. We particularly appreciated Cliff’s willingness to provide us with the holiday of our dreams and his knowledge and professionalism are second to none. Cycling is the perfect way to see the countryside, the beautiful villages and work off some calories (the reward being some of the best meals we’ve ever had).

Jacqui & Leon Clement
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, June 2011

Just a quick note to let you know that we had a fantastic time on our cycle trip. Everything went to plan: the weather was perfect (not that anyone controls that), the accommodation and dining were excellent and the riding itself was the perfect way to explore the region. We particularly enjoyed the ride from La Roque to Les Eyzies. Thanks for your help in creating a really memorable holiday. It was a pleasure to meet you also. All the best for the rest of the summer. Sounds like you’ll be busy!

Maggie & Ken
St. Catharines, ON, Canada, June 2011

We cycled the Dordogne two years ago and loved it so much we returned to try the Lot area this year. It was well worth the return trip. The route was well thought out with so much to see from fortified cities and chateaux, to quaint villages. The gorgeous scenery and vistas of the Lot River region were breathtaking. The B&Bs were first rate, all our hosts gracious, the cuisine wonderful and of course the marvelous wines of the Cahors region enhanced the whole experience. Thanks once again Cliff.

Craig, Kylie & Hayden
Sydney, Australia, July 2011

Hi Cliff, Thanks for organizing a great few days in the Dordogne for us. We had a fabulous time in a beautiful part of the world. The bikes ran perfectly and your luggage transfers were seamless. All the hotels were first rate, but I’d make a special mention of the hotel in Sarlat, which gave us friendly service, a nice big room, and exceptional dinner and breakfast. We loved it – both the town and the hotel. We all really enjoyed the tour of the Font de Gaume, a unique experience and well worth the effort getting tickets.

Alison
Whistler, BC, Canada, June 2011

I cycled the Dordogne with my parents and boyfriend for 8 days from the end of May through the first week of June. The weather was great and the trip was more than I could have hoped for. The days of cycling offered a good variety of rides, and all provided a great selection of scenery. The hotels we stayed in were very cool, mostly older fashioned, but with modern features including wireless internet and a tv. Planned meals were more traditional french cusine which was surprisingly good and other tasty restaurants were easy to find on nights on our own. Thanks for a great trip!

George & Diane
Cape Town, SA, May 2011

Diane and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the Dordogne, the countryside, the beautifully quaint and historic towns & villages en route, as well as the cuisine, the wine and the people. Thank you for a very well planned and organized itinerary, the wonderful cycling routes and a great selection of hotels, each with their own special features, be it a location, a view, comfort or cuisine they all had a lovely unique ambience and warm service. We look forward to returning one day, possibly to “Cycle the Lot”… we will keep in touch, many thanks.

Anne-Louise Minter
Singapore, July 2010

Our family of two adults and two children aged 11 and 15 spend an amazing two weeks cycling the Dordogne. Cliff was so patient and professional and nothing was too much trouble. Our family had one of our “best ever vacations” and the children are still talking about their adventures. The villages were simply breathtaking and the accommodations was second to none. The bikes were great and became part of our family over the two week trip, the children wanted to take them home as a momento of their adventures and new found love of France. Thank you so much Cliff for organising a trip that will forever be in our minds and for giving my children a trip they will never forget. We will most definately be holidaying with you again.

Burrton Woodruff/Charles Shriner
Indiana, USA, Sept 2010

I cycled the Dordogne in 2007 with this company (see my review near the bottom). Returned to share it with my partner this year. On the first day of biking, Charles remarked, “No wonder I wanted to share this. It is wonderful.” Also said, several times, “Best vacation, ever.” I couldn’t agree more. Another fabulous wonderful time. Cliff put together an amalgam of my first trip with new experiences. Yes, good food, good hosts, great pricing, good beds. Be sure to go to Grottes de Cougnac just outside of Gourdon and Font de Gaume (outside of Les Ezyies): the prehistoric cave paintings speak to my soul. Thank you very much, Cliff.

Subra & Cathhy Balan
Colarado, USA, Sept 2010

We had an absolutely fabulous time during our cycling trip arranged by Cycle the Dordogne. The route was exquisitely planned, the directions sharp and clear, the hotels very comfortable, the hoteliers warm and hospitable and the dinners simply heavenly. Of particular note was our stay at Hotel Clement V with Madame and Monsieur Fischer as superb hosts and our stay at the Hostelerie de la Bouriane with our host Monsieur Lacam. The bikes worked flawlessly and the scenery and sights were simply superb. France as a whole and the midi-Pyrennees region we were in is most beautiful! Thank you for arranging such a memorable trip. We hope to see you in a few years! If anyone wants to speak to us about our experience we would only be too glad to wax eloquent…

George & Garrick Malone
Benicia, California, August 2010

Garrick and I really enjoyed the Dordogne trip in August. The villages were spectacular, the luggage transfers happened without problems, the lodging was great. The route sheets were by and large very helpful and the km distances were accurate. I don’t believe we had time to do any of the add-on loop extensions, there was so much to see. I think we climbed to all the castles, Chateau de Fenelon, Castlenaud, Beynac, and the village of Domme. Overall, it was a fantastic experience.

David Elliott
Worcestershire, England, August 2010

Thanks very much for all your help. We were very pleased with your services, your choice of hotels and the routes you selected. The flexibility was great and the sheer quantity of well surfaced quiet roads, the fantastic scenery, refreshing rivers and spectacular chateaus make this a first class cycle destination. The lack of luggage to carry means we could cycle fast and unhindered and the plethora of fine restaurants ensured we never went hungry! We are already considering a return for next year in the same week. Do you think you could come up with something similar but different?

Teresa & Tina
Kodiak, Alaska, June 2010

We highly recommend Cycle the Dordogne to anyone looking for a unique way to see a gorgeous part of the world by bicycle. Cliff set up a personalized 11-day bike tour for us last month that was a true treasure. We wanted to spend a few days in each village rather than biking every day; Cliff obliged us with our own individualized itinerary. Cliff was a pleasure to work with and the Dordogne region’s people, food, terrain, history, and prehistory made this a truly fabulous vacation. We will recommend this to our friends and plan to return to the Dordogne to explore it further.

Sonia & Joal
Sydney, Australia, May 2010

Excellent bikes, instructions and accommodation for a 6-7 day Dordogne cycle. We are very keen to come back and try out the new Lot Valley walk in a year or so. Highly recommended – I couldn’t imagine going through a big travel company to arrange this type of trip when we can arrange things directly with Cliff.

Alex & Cath Morrison
Sydney, Australia, Oct 2009

This is a must for anyone who wants to be somewhere completely different, relax, keep fit, marvel at breathtaking scenery, indulge in superb cuisine, eat fresh walnuts along the roadside and much more… Thank you Cliff.